Abstract:The friction and wear behavior of magnesium matrix composites reinforced with particulate Mg₂Si was characterized. The influence of Si, applied load and sliding rate on the wear behavior of Mg₂Si/AM60 magnesium matrix composites was studied. The results indicate that the particulate Mg₂Si can be synthesized by adding Si into magnesium alloy. The wear properties of AM60 magnesium alloy are significantly improved with Mg₂Si particles. The wear mass losses of AM60 magnesium alloy and Mg₂Si/AM60 magnesium matrix composites decrease with increase in applied load and sliding rate. The wear feature of the AM60 magnesium alloy is adhesion wear. The wear mechanism of Mg₂Si/AM60 magnesium matrix composites transforms from abrasive wear to adhesion wear with the increase of load.

Key words: magnesium alloy; Mg₂Si/AM60 composite; friction; wear; wear mechanism; abrasive wear; adhesion wear